Barkley Nabs More Awards
As Penn State readies for the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30, the accolades continue to roll in for running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley was selected as an Associated Press first-team All-American. He was selected as an “all-purpose player.” The first-team running backs chosen were Stanford’s Bryce Love and San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny. Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor and Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson were second-teamers, while Southern California’s Ronald Jones and Florida Atlantic’s Devin Singletary were named to the third team.
Barkley —finished the regular season with 2,154 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns. That ranks him second and fifth, respectively. The All-American nod simply adds to Barkley’s resume. Here’s what he’s done thus far: Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, running back and return specialist of the year, Chicago Tribune Silver Football recipient and Paul Hornung Award winner as college football’s most versatile player.
Barkley was one of several Big Ten players honored by the AP. On the first team, he joined Ohio State center Billy Price, Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Edwards, Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell, Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson and Ohio State corner Denzel Ward.
Penn State (10-2) will face Washington (10-2) in the Fiesta Bowl, likely the last game of Barkley's Penn State career.
